9 Weird Reasons Why Your Dog Sits On Your Pillow + Tips (almost 2000 word-count article and has a Grade 4 on the Hemingway App)
Every living creature has the right to sit somewhere that they are most comfortable. As a good dog owner, you provide them a spot where they can feel cozy and snug. Such as a dog bed, or a crate with a cushion in it.
Yet, you may find your canine at times wanting to sit or relax on
your bed pillow or any pillow you and the other humans use. It
may boggle your mind when they choose to do this since they
have their comfy place to rest. Also, the inconvenience is that
your pillow now has fur, smell, drool, or any liquids now
sticking on it.
Read on to find out more:
- How your pillows remind them of you.
- Some unfortunate reasons why they want to sit on your pillows.
- How to use positive reinforcements and effective punishments.
- And many more...
Why does my dog sit on my pillow?
It depends on the dog. Your dog may find your pillows comfortable and make them feel secure. They may also want to sit on your pillows to get your attention, imitate, and spend time with you. Also, they may think of themselves as the top dog of the family or have become possessive of your pillow.
9 reasons why your dog sits on your pillow
#1: It’s more comfortable
Everybody wants to feel like they are lying on cloud nine. So if your dog finds your pillow much more comfortable than their dog bed or cushion. Could this be the sign that your dog doesn't like their beddings anymore? Are they looking for somewhere or something else to sit?
#2: It smells like you
You may stink most of the time. But your scent may be better than dog food for your dog. The second theory is that your pillow has your scent, and your dog finds it relaxing. The pillow reminds them of you, thus…
#3: The pillow makes them feel secure
Your relaxing sweet scent equals feelings of security for your fur baby. You have not been spending time much with your dog, and you leave them alone because you are busy with other stuff. So they need the pillow to remind themselves of you.
#4: They are trying to get your attention
Common among puppies, but adult dogs can do this as well. They sit on your pillow because they learn that the action deserves your attention.
They are lonely, so this is the only way they can get a notice from you if they are naughty.
#5: The want to sit with you
If you are relaxing in your bed, your dog might see you and want to be with you. And they may want to sit on your pillow. It's awesome that dogs want to cuddle and spend time with their owners. And owners love that their dogs are so affectionate yet...
#6: You tolerated or encouraged them to sit on your pillow
Think about it. In the past, you let them chill on your pillow, so they think it’s okay. Although it's nice to be able to cuddle with your dog at your bed or your couch, this can also lead to problems.
#7: They are imitating you
So you have a good doggo that believes you are the Alpha, and you found out they are sitting on your pillow. It's because they are trying to imitate you! They see you sitting or lying on your pillow, so they do the same thing because it's ideal. After all, you are the leader of the pack so they have to follow you. Imitation is the best form of flattery!
#8: They sit on your pillow because they think they are the Alpha
This may sound daunting, but it could be true. Dogs are pack animals, and they either listen to the Alpha, or they are one.
Your Alpha dog will tend to steal and sit on your pillow or anything you own. Yes, not only pillows but also other stuff you own. They may not listen to you if you tell them to give it back or any orders you say because they believe they are the Alpha.
Dog trainers agree that the owner or the human should be the leader of the domesticated dog or pack.
#9: They do object guarding
In the same lines as #8, but with some emphasis on aggressive dog behavior that can be dangerous.
Your dog may think they have gotten ownership of your pillow and don't want you to use it anymore. They will bark, growl, or even nip when you try to take the pillow away from them or take them away from it.
Not only pillows though, but they can also object guard toys, food, and even you or other humans. They will mark these as their own and become very possessive aggressive. If other people or animals try to go near the object they are guarding, the dog will feel threatened or jealous.
Now you know some common reasons why your dog likes to sit on your pillow. And we hope that you finally pinpointed one or two of the reasons. This next list contains helpful tips for each of the sevento help your dog get rid of this bad behavior. We hope that either or two of the pieces of advice below will help you and your dog.
5 tips on what to do if your dog sits on your pillow
#1: Get your dog new beddings
Your dog may not like sitting or lying in its own bed, try to replace your dog’s sleeping arrangements. Get or buy a much comfier dog bedding that has the same softness and firmness as your pillow, one with a headrest.
Or, give them a pillow that they oh so love, and get yourself a new one. Anyway, it already has your dog’s fur, smell, and drool. And it’s a good excuse for you to get a new pillow! We only hope that the old one wasn’t too expensive.
#2: Solving your dog’s separation anxiety
For reasons #2 and #3 in the first list, it's nice to have something from your loved ones. So if your dog chooses to sit on your pillow because it reminds them of you, you may find that cute.
Yet, if your dog does that all the time when they are alone, it may mean that your dog has separation anxiety.
Your dog could be one of the 14% of dogs that experience separation anxiety. "It is the inability of the pet to find comfort when separated from family members."
For lonely dogs, you can try to set aside more time to spend with your pet because it’s not right for them to be feeling sad. Dogs have become our companions, helpers, and protectors, so it’s in their nature to spend time with us.
As an owner, you should know better to make the time despite your busy schedule. Because what is the point of having a dog if you don’t spend time with them?
Another tip is when you leave for work, or when both of you go to bed at night, give or leave your dog a fabric that has your scent. This could be a small towel that you rub around your body and put in your dog’s bedding while they sleep or rest. Your dog may carry the towel around him as a child carries around his security blanket.
Aside from a towel, you can use a recently worn sock or a t-shirt. Yet, don't expect that your clothes will come back to you undamaged.
At night, you can also transfer his crate or dog bed to your bedroom, so they don’t feel so alone. Unless they decide to join you in bed, it depends on you if you like sleeping with your dog or if they should stay in their own space.
To read about the study of separation anxiety among dogs and strategies to deal with it, click here.
#3: Hone your commanding skills and gain Alpha over your dog/s.
Sure, you love your dog. You may let them run free around your yard, or you feed them when they start begging or do the puppy dog eyes. But, they have to know that you are the leader of the pack.
Your dog has to know that they need to respect and follow you because you know what’s best for them. And it's not right for the dog to control the human as much as the human abuses the dog.
When training your puppies to how to get up and sit wherever you want, away from your pillow, use a treat. When your puppy is sitting on the pillow, show the treat to them with your palm face up. Then move it forward and away from the pup as you say "stand."
Then you can lure them away from the pillow by moving the treat away from them. They will follow the treat where you want them to sit. You can do the same thing for adult dogs.
Watch videos, read, or get help from a professional and certified dog trainer so you can let the dog know who’s the Alpha. The same thing when your dog tends to do object guarding, or they are imitating you
#4: Discourage your dog from sitting on your pillow further
For reasons #4 and #5, this is where your dog's commanding skills will help and test you. Because you have tolerated or encouraged your dog to sit on your pillow, it’s time to reverse that behavior.
Direct your dog back to their bedding or somewhere else away from your pillows. Use your firm voice, hand gestures, and facial expressions. Watch and learn from videos how to do this or get the help of a professional dog whisperer or trainer.
Use positive reinforcements, such as giving them a treat or praise after they left the pillow. Do all the steps until they learn that they get treats and love if they leave your pillows alone.
#5 Use effective punishment or discipline your dog
It doesn't always feel good to punish your fur baby, but you have to. But make sure it's the effective way. It may take a long while for your dog to learn not to sit on your pillows.
Use effective punishment when they sit on the pillows. Only punishing during or immediately following the behavior.
Punishment should always play a small role in any problem resolution! Never give pain or fear to your dog. Always try to be positive and keep using positive reinforcements.
You may punish your dog by taking away the pillow from them. Or making sure they have no access to pillows.
Disciplining your dog can be as easy as saying a firm yet calm "no! when you catch them sitting on your pillows. They may try to appease you by acting cute so that they can stay where you are.
Make sure to pay attention to your dog if they are showing subtle signs of stress and anxiety in this process. Do not expect an overnight success that they will stop sitting on your pillows.
For more about the principles of teaching and training your dog, click here.
It may take some time to pinpoint what is the true reason why your dog wants to sit on your pillows. It may also take a much longer time to change their behavior as training and correcting your dog is a long process.
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